[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 46 (Thursday, March 7, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16526-16527]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-04850]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Request Revision and Extension of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 this 
notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics 
Service (NASS) to request revision and extension of a currently 
approved information collection, the Agricultural Labor Survey. 
Revision to burden hours will be needed due to changes in the size of 
the target population, sampling design, number of mailings, and/or 
questionnaire length.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 6, 2024 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-
0109, by any of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include docket number 
above in the subject line of the message.
     eFax: (855) 838-6382.
     Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions to: 
Richard Hopper, NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Room 5336 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20250-2024.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Hand deliver to: Richard Hopper, 
NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South 
Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph L. Parsons, Associate 
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, (202) 720-4333. Copies of this information 
collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from 
Richard Hopper, NASS--OMB Clearance Officer, at (202) 720-2206 or at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Agricultural Labor Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0109.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 2024.
    Type of Request: Intent to Seek Approval to Revise and Extend an 
Information Collection for 3 years.
    Abstract: The primary objective of the National Agricultural 
Statistics Service is to prepare and issue State and

[[Page 16527]]

national estimates of crop and livestock production, disposition, and 
prices. The Agricultural Labor Survey provides quarterly statistics on 
the number of agricultural workers, hours worked, and wage rates. 
Number of workers and hours worked are used to estimate agricultural 
productivity; wage rates are used in the administration of the H-2A 
Program and for setting Adverse Effect Wage Rates. Survey data are also 
used to carry out provisions of the Agricultural Adjustment Act. NASS 
intends to request that the survey be approved for another 3 years.
    Authority: These data will be collected under the authority of 7 
U.S.C. 2204(a). Individually identifiable data collected under this 
authority are governed by section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985 
as amended, 7 U.S.C. 2276, which requires USDA to afford strict 
confidentiality to non-aggregated data provided by respondents. This 
Notice is submitted in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) and Office of 
Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR part 1320.
    All NASS employees and NASS contractors must also fully comply with 
all provisions of the Confidential Information Protection and 
Statistical Efficiency Act (CIPSEA) of 2018, title III of Public Law 
115-435, codified in 44 U.S.C. ch. 35. CIPSEA supports NASS's pledge of 
confidentiality to all respondents and facilitates the agency's efforts 
to reduce burden by supporting statistical activities of collaborative 
agencies through designation of NASS agents, subject to the limitations 
and penalties described in CIPSEA. NASS uses the information only for 
statistical purposes and publishes only tabulated total data.
    Estimate of Burden: This information collection consists of three 
individual surveys. In April, NASS will collect data for the January 
and April quarters and in October, NASS will collect data for both the 
July and October quarters. Following these two surveys NASS will re-
contact approximately 500 operators to conduct quality control surveys 
to help insure the quality of the data collected. NASS also plans to 
conduct some cognitive testing during this renewal period. The public 
reporting burden for this information collection is estimated to 
average 5 minutes for the quality control surveys and 30 minutes per 
response in April and October.
    Respondents: Farms and businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 18,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 21,000 hours.
    Copies of this information collection and related instructions can 
be obtained without charge from Richard Hopper, NASS Clearance Officer, 
at (202) 720-2206.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the agency, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 
and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, technological or other forms of information 
technology collection methods.
    All responses to this notice will become a matter of public record 
and be summarized in the request for OMB approval.

    Signed at Washington, DC, March 4, 2024.
Joseph L. Parsons,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2024-04850 Filed 3-6-24; 8:45 am]
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